"In wisdom gathered over time I have found that every experience is a form of exploration."-Ansel Adams

This is dedicated to my dearly loved 'AceSquad'; My friends who always have me playing this game and dreaming in the lore allowing me to fill in the 'What If's?'.

"Guardian! The heart is weakening, keep at it!" The warlock's Ghost spoke in haste. Another statuesque Vex came to life as it's podium brought the mountainous Vex Sol Progeny down upon her.

She hefted her rocket launcher high and shoved the ammunition into the chamber quickly, ready for when her next adversary turned to face her.

'This is it', she thought, 'just one step closer to vanquishing the darkness'.

It's joints groaned as the Vex turned to her, already priming it's large cannon to blast her and the floor beneath her to pieces. A whistle sounded as the rocket soared through the air, hitting the Vex in it's glowing stomach and she fled, glide guiding her swiftly to safety on higher ground and let loose another rocket that hit it's mark easily enough. The warlock grew in alarm as she realized she was down to her last rocket and the last Vex didn't look close to keeling over yet.

"So long as you hit that weak spot in the middle, it shouldn't take long to take down the last of the Vex. Perhaps sniping might come in handy here Kassia."

Kassia was an excellent sharpshooter but even she was quickly doubting herself. More shots were thrown her way, making the Guardian run and slide into various different covers and quickly rifling down Hobgoblins and Goblins alike.

"Behind you!"

She turned around only to be met with a face full of metal. She was struck down, a large Vex Minotaur. It's large form gave a loud groan akin to a battle cry and Kassia's adrenalin rushed at it's large cannon light up, preparing undoubtedly a devastating shot that would rip through her shields.

Adeptly, she switched to a powerful handcannon and slammed on the trigger, watching as sparks flew from the glowing chassis in the middle of the Minotaur, but it remained unflinching and shot it's rifle that depleted her shields dangerously low. She cried out in pain but did not let the pain becoming her undoing. She summoned her power of the Sunsinger that burned hot and low in her chest, manifesting into a flaming grenade that rivaled that of the sun's solar energy and threw it at the Minotaur, guiding the Travelers energy to latch onto the Minotaur's sparking chassis. It gave one more angered groan and moved in to deal a deadly melee with it's rifle before the searing hot grenade detonated and turned the Minotaur to a heap of melting metal.

"You need to move, quickly!" Ghost cried out. She felt the light of the Traveler from her Ghost companion; pulling energy in and healed her slowly enough to get her on her feet and numb the plasma wound the Minotaur inflicted upon her.

She gave another leap, allowing the glide to carry her across the large gap opposite of the Sol Progeny's last Vex Colossus taking down several other smaller Vex Goblins, creating enough space for her to finally breath and swap her weapon to the sleek stock of a sniper rifle.

"Watch my six, Ghost!" She cried.

Everything became numb and she focused on the Vex's weak spot, ignoring the rumbling of the ground as the it came closer and closer. She let out several shots in quick succession, her teeth rattling from the tremendous recoil. She continued the routine of gliding and running away from the Vex to let out a few shots each and soon enough, she began to see the Vex struggling to lift it's weapon and shoot her. It's chassis was pulsing hotter with each monstrous step and it's hot plasma began to drip from several orifices, indicating it's end was near.

More enemies began spawning again. The Vex tore through time and space, a small army of vex turning their rifles toward her mid-glide at such a force that it caused her control to falter. She yelled as she fell, her legs slamming unsteadily into the ground below, shooting a sharp pain through her body leaving her breathless and biting back tears that sprung into her eyes.

Her breathing began to get heavier in her helmet and her pupils became dilated and hypersensitive. Ghost noticed the change in it's Guardian's energy and began to draw more energy to them to aid her.

"You've got this Kassia!"

Everything was white, hot and euphoric all at once. Starting from her sternum and blooming across her limbs into the extension of her fingertips and the sole of her heels, Kassia began to glow brightly, drawing in the energy of the Traveler, gifted in the way of the Sunsinger.

She was a sight to behold as her body became engulfed in flames that were searing hot, rivaling that of the sun's own heat and sprout flaming wings that extended her image of a powerful entity. Many of the Vex shielded themselves away, their groans becoming louder and more high pitched but nothing more than white noise eons away as the power became all consuming. Kassia allowed the rest of the Sunsinger's radiance to take hold and her lit form expelled a surge of energy and glided herself high in the air.

Many solar grenades rained down upon the Vex Goblins and Hobgoblins, causing the lessers to shield away and vanish back into their time portals and Hobgoblins to shield themselves away from the immense torrents of mini suns.

With the army of Vex distracted she drew even more energy to expend her Travelers light into fusion grenades that volleyed into the glowing chassis of the Divisive Mind's Sol Progeny, power amplified ten fold, that tore through the beasts shield and ripped the Vex straight through the middle, officially mutilating the top and lower halves of the Vex Minotaur. The remaining Vex slumped over, their energy official depleted and the Heart of the Vex God began to convulse as the light prevailed.

The energy granted to her by the Traveler began to leave her like diving headfirst into an icy tundra and she slumped over, officially expended but allowed herself to look up and see the last of the Vex's so-called God die and explode, bringing Kassia to the present.

Blossoms fell lightly, billowing in the now calm winds and the atmosphere around her finally at peace as if the Traveler itself was officially delighted in her efforts.

She allowed the briefest smiles to tug at her lips and got up and put away her arsenal. Her Ghost materialized beside her and emitted a series of whirls that conveyed happiness and flew up higher, expanding it's obtuse angles to scan the immediate area.

"Guardian, we've done it. The Speaker is calling everyone back to the Tower on all channels. I have told him of our success. Let's get you back home, Kassia."

Her Ghost hovered close and Kassia felt the familiar cool blue as her Ghost hid itself safely within herself and allowed her companion to summon her ship to take her back to Earth.

She reached the docking bay of Earth, still heavily guarding her injuries as she exited the west wing of the Tower and to the main courtyard of the Tower.

Never had Kassia seen so many Guardians all in one place, and upon being exposed to the outside she was met with the faces of humans, awoken and exos alike and like an incoming wave, a slow applause started before the whole crowd was cheering and rejoicing all at her.

Almost immediately, Kassia straightened up a bit despite the tugging of patched wounds and aches she felt, and masked her face into a more somber expression despite the darkening hue of purple crawling up her neck in embarrassment. She was almost fortunate for the darker hue of blue hair that would no doubt make the heat on her face less noticeable.

She passed by a giddy Master Rahool who politely bowed his head and gave Kassia a crooked smile.

"Perhaps I might decrypt something a little more to your liking next time, Guardian." She doubted that.

She weaved her way between the crowd, being humble to the mass of Guardians that congratulated her. She fought some of the unease the massive crowd gave her, especially the very enthusiastic Guardians that were bombarding her with questions and so on. Luckily, the Speaker soon began to address the populace on our successes. Ghosts from all over the Tower beaming their optics to record the momentous event for the cities below.

Now everyone seemed to know of her successes of vanquishing the darkness and how the Traveler now grew stronger at the absence of the impending darkness. She felt moderately serene now that the attention was now off of her and the Speaker began to speak in moderation to all of their efforts in aiding the Traveler. It brought her a great sense of peace, even if short-lived.

"Guardian, I'm detecting a visitor back in the west wing of the Tower. It's marked as urgent."

Slinking away from the mass she made her way back to the lower ramparts of the cargo bay, being sure not to draw any attention as she left the mass of Guardians back in the main courtyard. She was growing warily as she neared closer but upon inspection, Kassia recognized the all too familiar figure standing away waiting her.

The Exo Stranger goes into detail of the impending darkness still out on the frontier and beyond and encourages Kassia to continue her efforts and exploration. Kassia feels it will not be the last time she will walk paths with the Exo Stranger despite the exos continuous affirmation that her path is her own to deal with alone. She then rewards the warlock with a rifle that Kassia recognizes is the one that the exo herself used often and she feels an immense feeling of pride that is somewhat short-lived.

The Exo Stranger departs so soon that it feels that they'd never converse at all, and Kassia is now clinging onto so many questions that need answering.

She looks out to the Traveler and the last of their civilization that's now nestled below the large sphere. It looms low over the city below and Kassia swears the Traveler is almost glowing after her efforts today. The Stranger's Rifle a clear token of her success.

The silence is comforting, minus the quiet humming of the cargo bay docks of the clockwork below that was working to store Guardian's ships. Kassia let out a breath of air she had no idea she withheld and brushed her blue locks out of her face. She was content to bask in the moment until she heard a clang of metal, heavily armored footsteps behind her.

Turning around, she was surprised to meet the cocksure gaze of the Queen's Brother. A Spymaster that no doubt warranted large political and literal power and that she most definitely did not welcome so soon.

"Not interrupting, am I?" He was met with silence that did not deter him in the least. "No matter, you are being called Guardian. You owe us a favor and I intend to collect."

His form was regal and deadly as he approached her. Kassia stiffened but did not allow herself to display any of her unease. Her Ghost was livid and floating halfway to the prince who quickly ushered the Ghost away with a shove.

"Calm yourselves. Had I been here to kill you, you would already be dead." He gave the pair that cocky, lopsided smile that made Kassia grind her teeth, but she remained stern.

Crow reached into one of his compartments, nearest to his wicked blade strapped to his waist, and gave Kassia a datapad. Ghost immediately set out to collect the item and materialized it into it's own subspace for safe keeping.

"So, you've managed to destroy a Vex God? How illustrious of you, warlock. Surely it is a grand time for all of you under the Guardian's tutelage. Tell me, how victorious is the Traveler now?"

He was toying with her, she did not respond but her Ghost companion was quick to defend.

"Guardian Kassia worked toward a great victory today and the Traveler grows stronger thanks to her efforts and those of the other Guardians out on the frontier. What favor do you gain?"

His grin was feral, "Oh! Us? Please we matter not for the impending darkness, I am simply congratulating the earth-born on her chivalrous efforts."

Her Ghost was spurting a series of beeps and whirls and Kassia was quick to intervene. She called to her Ghost and it reluctantly rematerialized within her. It's presence cooling and comforting despite her companions irritation. She stepped up and looked at the other awoken with a matching, unwavering gaze being taunt and equally imposing despite her aching and still ill-tended wounds itching and pulling uncomfortably.

"Many small victories amount to a greater effort. It is simply another advantage. I'm sure you understand." Kassia said.

His expression turned somber again and was content with the answer, as if it were a test. He laid the conversation to rest and crossed him arms over his chest. A pose Kassia noted from previous encounters that the reef-born male was all business again.

"The Queen requests council with you. We expect your presence in a few solar cycles time. Please, do work on not disappointing us as I would think it would not favor well for yourselves."

They held each other in a staring contest of sorts. Analyzing, calculating, judging from head to toe. Kassia met his golden eyes and saw the challenge in them almost immediately how the lines of his face marked him in ways that made him as a character more powerful than just the Queen's brother. Just as she wanted to peer and find out more, he abruptly turned heel, his tattered but unique cloak shrouding his form.

"We'll be waiting, Guardian."

He disappeared into the many shadows of the cargo bay and soon enough, she noticed the usual bustle of work and social life on the Tower come back to normal. No doubt the Speaker was done addressing the Guardians.

Ghost conveyed a spark within her that she realized was curiosity and a little bit of left over irritation. She held her arm close to her heart in a comforting manner and let her self conscious speak for her.

'At ease, Ghost.'

A cooling sensation raced up and down her spine again and she closed her eyes at the feeling.

'Let's get you patched up, Kassia.'

I have always been so enraptured by Destiny's lore, although severely disappointed in the lack of explanation, but where it lacks it leaves a lot of room for interpretation. I think that's what Bungie always initially intended but executed poorly. This story will be a lot of my influence and those of my friends who I raid with weekly and give me the inspiration to begin writing again.

Constructive criticism is welcomed.